Neon signs and channel letters are both popular options for outdoor signage, but they are vastly different in terms of their design, maintenance, and cost. Let’s take a look:
What are Neon Signs?
Neon signs are made from glass tubes filled with neon gas or other gasses such as argon or krypton. These tubes are bent into various shapes and sizes to create the desired image or lettering. The tubes are then lit by a high-voltage electrical current, which causes the gas inside to glow, creating a bright and eye-catching display. Neon signs are often associated with vintage and retro aesthetics and are commonly used in bars, nightclubs and diners.
What are Channel Letter Signs?
Channel letter signs are made from metal and are typically illuminated by LED lights. The letters or images are formed by cutting the metal into shape and then attaching it to a backing, which is typically made of aluminum or plastic. The LED lights are then placed inside the letters or images, illuminating them from the inside. Channel letter signs are often used for modern and sleek designs, and are commonly used for business and commercial signs.
Old vs. New
Like a blast from the past, neon signs evoke emotion and feelings of nostalgia. Neon creates a dazzling and radiant display that is sure to catch the eye and calls up memories of diners, bars and night-clubs.
Ironically, there was a time when channel letter signs were lit with neon lights inside of them. But those days are gone! Today’s modern channel letter signs are illuminated with LED lights, giving them a clean and professional appearance. Typically made of metal, acrylic or aluminum, channel letters create a sleek and polished look and have become the industry standard for business and commercial signs.
When it comes to maintenance, neon signs can be like a delicate flower, they need regular check-ups and if a tube breaks, the entire sign will need to be repaired or replaced. Channel letters, on the other hand, are known to be sturdy and dependable, having a longer lifespan and requiring less maintenance.
Potential Issues with Neon Signs
In terms of cost, neon signs are generally more expensive to produce than channel letters. The cost of the materials, as well as the specialized labor required to bend and shape the glass tubes, can make neon signs more costly. In addition to production costs, neon signs present other potential issues you should be aware of:
Maintenance: Neon signs require regular maintenance to ensure they continue to function properly. The glass tubes need to be checked for leaks, and if a tube breaks, the entire sign will need to be repaired or replaced. This can be costly and time-consuming.
Power consumption: Neon signs consume a significant amount of electricity, which can lead to higher energy bills.
Environmental impact: The production and disposal of neon signs can have a negative impact on the environment. The gasses used to create neon signs are not environmentally friendly, and disposing of broken neon signs can be difficult and costly.
Cost: Neon signs are generally more expensive to produce than other types of signs, such as LED or channel letters. This can make them cost-prohibitive for some businesses.
Safety: Neon signs are fragile and can be broken easily. They are also dangerous if they are left on and have a broken tube.
Heat: Neon signs can get quite hot and this could be a problem if they are close to flammable materials.
Neon signs and channel letters both have their own unique characteristics. In the end, we recommend using channel letter signs for business and commercial purposes. Channel letters offer flexibility, ease of maintenance and a plethora of creative design options. Let us know how we can help you create the ideal sign package for your business. Contact us today!
Branding is the heart that beats at the core of any successful business. It’s the spice that sets a company apart from its competitors and creates a lasting impression in the minds of consumers. But what exactly is branding, and why is it so vital to the success of a business?
Branding is the creative process of crafting a unique identity for a product or service. It’s about creating a persona for your business that resonates with your target audience. This identity is conveyed through a symphony of elements, including a company’s name, logo, slogan, and overall visual aesthetic. Signage is one of the most powerful tools in this symphony, it’s the face of your business that greets customers as they approach your store or office. A well-designed sign can make all the difference in the first impression a customer has of your business.
But branding is not just about having a pretty logo or a catchy tagline, it’s about creating an emotional connection with consumers and establishing trust and loyalty. Think of some of the most iconic brands in the world, such as Coca-Cola or Nike. These companies have masterfully used branding to create a strong emotional connection with consumers. When we see the iconic Coca-Cola logo, it evokes memories of sharing a cold soda with friends on a hot summer day. Similarly, when we see the Nike swoosh, it invokes feelings of determination and athleticism. These brands have successfully created a narrative that goes beyond just their products, they have created a lifestyle that consumers aspire to be a part of.
One of the most crucial elements of branding is consistency. From subtle colors and fonts to obvious design aesthetics, consistency in displaying a brand is key for recall and loyalty. In the Nike example, the iconic swoosh can be portrayed in a multitude of colors, but it is always proportionally the same size and aligned in the same manner. You recognize the brand without the written word Nike included with the swoosh.
St. Mary’s College in Moraga, CA is no stranger to the importance of consistency in brand. Throughout its campus, they have been diligent in incorporating consistent brand elements in all its signage. This contributes to the creation of an overall consistent look and feel at the school. Our team worked to incorporate tiny design details into the signage to match their brand. Interior and exterior dimensional letter signs use the same font. The material vary in the various applications, but the missionary look in the anodized bronze is consistent throughout the campus.
Consistent branding also helps to establish a company’s credibility and authority. A well-established brand can command a premium price for its products or services, because consumers perceive that brand as being of higher quality and value. A strong brand can help to build trust with consumers, which is crucial in today’s marketplace where there is so much competition.
Another important aspect of branding is the role it plays in differentiating a company or school, from its competitors. In today’s world where consumers have a plethora of options to choose from, it can be challenging for a business to stand out. But a strong brand can help to make a company more easily recognizable to potential customers, it can make the company’s products and services more desirable and valuable, it can give the company a sense of exclusivity and make it more desirable for consumers to choose it over others. Signage is one of the most powerful tools in this process, it helps to make your business stand out and be noticed, it helps to create an emotional connection with customers and differentiate your business from your competitors.
Signage plays a vital role in creating a consistent brand; it helps customers to easily identify your business and create an emotional connection with your brand. A well-designed and well-placed sign can make all the difference in whether or not a customer chooses your business over your competitors. How does signage play a role in your brand identity? What consistent elements do you showcase through signage? Does your signage reflect your brand? Our team at Sequoia Signs can help you answer these questions and create beautiful branded signage.
Dimensional Letter Signs are a term used to describe a sign that is made by assembling three dimensional material raised from the background surface. These are typically a collection of letters, logos, graphics or phrases that, then displayed together, create a complete sign.
As you may have guessed, dimensional letter signs have a raised, three-dimensional appearance and are typically made from metal, aluminum or acrylic. They extend beyond the surface of the wall or building facade to create a distinctive shape and presence.
Dimensional lettering is one of the most versatile and effective signage options, and frequently used for business lobby signs, office reception signs, and retailer and commercial spaces. Whether your signage needs are exterior or interior, dimensional lettering offers a professional, sturdy and timeless appearance.
Materials Used in Dimensional Letter Signs
Acrylic
Acrylic is very affordable sign material and will hold up well to outside elements and temperature fluctuations. It comes in many colors, and can be cut, shaped and formed into different size signs for different needs. Acrylic is the most common type of plastic dimensional letter signs and can even be made to look like other materials at a fraction of the cost.
Aluminum
Sign manufacturers often turn to aluminum because it is a durable lightweight material. Aluminum is strong, does not rust, and offers an affordable material solution that can be used for numerous sign types and needs. It offers flexibility for design and style and will hold up well over time.
PVC / Dimensional Plastic
Similar to acrylic, painted dimensional plastic PVC letters are a very common form of dimensional letters use for exterior signage. It is tough and durable so it stands up to weather. PVC letters will range in thickness from 1/8” to 1” thick. While PVC comes in many base colors, unlike acrylic, it can be painted virtually any color and finish.
Metal
A dimensional letter sign made of metal are most often made of light gauge steel, aluminum, copper, brass or stainless steel. These materials are very strong and durable, so they’re great for the outside of your business. Metal dimensional letters can also create a very modern, polished and professional feel for your business lobby or reception signs.
Rigid Foam / High Density Urethane
Rigid polyurethane high-density foam is versatile, strong and durable. High density urethane (HDU)/ polyurethane foam board is commonly used in outdoor dimensional signage for carved or routed signs, usually as a substitute for wood. As with PVC, rigid foams are “closed cell” and do not absorb water.
Wood
Wood is a classic material that can be used in a ton of different ways. It can be used to create dimensional letter signs that range from rustic to modern and everything in between. It holds up well for exterior uses as long as the wood has been treated, or you can utilize wood for interior office signs, and it will last decades.
Benefits of Dimensional Letter Signs
Wondering if a dimensional sign is right for your business? Dimensional letter signs offer a ton of benefits. Check out these companies that are making an impact with signage every day and reaping the benefits!
Customization
Your business sign can be customized many different ways with a simple dimensional design. Choose your color, shape, style, and material. You’ll often see unique creations at retails stores, schools, bars, restaurants, banks and much more.
Versatility
Dimensional letter signs provide you with options for expanding your brand, providing direction or decorating a location.
Practical
When you have dimensional letter signs it “pops” much more than a flat design does, giving you more exposure and drawing the eye up towards the sign. Not to mention, there are a number of ways we can develop your dimensional letter sign to provide catchy and engaging branding.
Not all dimensional letter signs are created equal. You want to make sure that you’re working with a professional sign company that is going to create a high-quality sign with high quality materials. In most cases, your business signage creates the first impression of your company. Make sure that impression builds the character of your business!
Sequoia Signs has had the pleasure of working with many wonderful clients throughout the Bay Area. Our recent project with Aura Management is no exception! Aura Management needed help creating a work environment that made their employees feel appreciated and valued for their work. We partnered with them to create a branded business sign package to achieve these goals.
We started with revamping the corporate color scheme. They brought us a branding package that didn’t properly convey their current culture or enthusiasm. We worked with them to redesign the color scheme to be more contemporary and fun. We settled on blue and gray with some aluminum highlights for the signage. See how we incorporated these colors into the branded business signs throughout their office space.
Branded Business Signs for Aura Management
Halo-Lit Lobby Sign
This business doesn’t greet many visitors, but it was important to the owners that their employees felt welcomed and had a sense of pride in what they do when they entered the office space. This powerful halo-lit lobby sign does just that!
Suite IDs
Property management companies often have requirements for external signage on buildings. We worked within these requirements to create brand consistency for visitors.
The interior Suite ID is our favorite sign! This interior way finding sign shows off the branded blue logo using dimensional letters on top the brushed aluminum backing panel.
Room and Office IDs
Each office received a personalize etched glass vinyl identification sign. These are typically used as privacy film but this partial window covering compliments that blushed aluminum and gray from the branded color palette.
For the offices and rooms without glass windows, we carried over the etched glass vinyl design by creating this 2-layer acrylic sign backed with a contrasting back panel. This creative alternative allowed them to keep the consistency of the branded business signs for all offices.
Environmental Wall Graphics
In the signage industry, we refer to these inspirational walls as environmental signage. This quote was applied with ready-to-apply vinyl (RTA). We selected the best wall to showcase this quote, then determined the size and design to fit the space.
Wall Mural
Vinyl wall murals incorporate the branded blue color with the black and white photos of its retailer locations. These black and white images tied in the gray and aluminum for a consistent color palette.
Properly branded signage not only creates brand awareness for clients and potential customers, but has a powerful impact on employees. Aura Management created a positive work environment for their team through branded interior signs. How can we help your company use signage to create a welcoming workplace? Contact our team of professionals for a free on-site consultation.
Looking for the best business signage for your business or retail location? The look, aesthetic appeal, and size of your sign will impact how well it drives people to your location. Whether your letters are lit, how much depth a sign has, and where it is placed can dramatically impact whether potential customers will notice your business.
Channel Letter signs showcase three-dimensional designs that appear to jump right off the side of a building. They grab the attention of potential visitors and passersby and emphasize your brand in an aesthetically pleasing way. Channel letter signs can be made with endless color combinations and multiple lighting options. These signs are typically made out of aluminum or acrylic material; making them light weight and impactful.
All About Channel Letter Signs
If you want to get your business noticed and work a new advertising angle into your location’s exterior, channel letters are a great way to go. This style of business sign is used primarily outdoors. However, channel lettering can also be used indoors, especially in large retail locations, malls, or indoor plazas. When it comes to captivating storefront signage, channel letters are a fantastic choice to consider because they can be beautifully illuminated.
If you want to learn more about channel letter signs, we encourage you to give us a call! We can answer your questions and walk you through the many possibilities for signage. Or, keep reading to learn all about the aspects of channel letter signs!
What are Channel Letters?
Wondering why they are called “channel” letters? The answer is pretty straightforward; these signs are constructed with a face and side walls creating a channel effect for each element of the sign. This channel leaves interior space for the light mechanisms to create a stunning, highly visible effect.
How Does LED Lighting Work with These Signs?
Channel letters have interior channels. As such, LED lighting can easily be run through the channels to attract attention and increase visibility. When lighting is poor or the weather is causing visibility issues, backlit and LED channel letter signs really shine. Backlit LED lettering can be a major advantage when you need customers to see your business easily from a distance as well. As a licensed California Electrical Sign contractor, we can help you with all of your sign lighting needs! So, to find out more about your sign lighting options, call us.
What are the Lighting Options for Channel Letter Signs?
There are a few illumination options for these signs.
Front Lit Channel Letter Signs
Front-lit signs have individual LED strips inside of them that light up the face of each letter. The sign face is usually constructed using a translucent material like acrylic.
Reverse Lit Channel Letter Signs
Reverse lit signs are typically made using aluminum. Since they light up from the back, they have a halo-like glow. This is why they are sometimes referred to as halo-lit signs.
Dual Lit Channel Letter Signs
Dual lit signs implement a combination of reverse and front lighting. This creates a visually appealing glow and illumination effect.
How Large Should a Channel Letter Sign Be?
It will all depend on your individual business needs! With that being said, the minimum size for these letters is around 8 inches tall. This is so that the letters can be illuminated effectively. Ideally, your sign will be between 18 and 36 inches per letter. It is important to note that the larger your letters are, the stronger their material construction should be.
How Long Do Lit Channel Letter Signs Last?
Many people wonder how durable these signs are. If you implement proper maintenance, these signs can last anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000 hours. That means if they are turned on for half of the day, they can last about 10 years! Plus, replacing LED lighting components and bulbs is an easy task.
What’s the Difference Between Channel and Dimensional Letters?
Both types of signage have many similarities and three-dimensional elements. Dimensional letter signs involve cutting a sign’s components from solid material pieces. As a result, nothing fits inside of them. Channel letters can be used in many ways and offer more versatility because they have channels. This lends room for illumination and multiple color concepts. Channel signs can also be customized inside and out, down to their thickness and materials. Additionally, these signs tend to be used for different applications. Dimensional signs are ideal for indoor locations like lobbies. These signs can also often be found in malls, offices, restaurants, and even manufacturing locations. Channel lettering, on the other hand, is ideal for exterior locations. With that being said, channel letters can also be used in indoor plazas, malls, and other locations where lighting is a key concept.
Why Choose Channel Lettering for Your Business Sign?
These signs are effective, easily noticeable, and great for an array of applications. For one thing, channel letters can be designed in many ways. These letters can feature slogans, company names, logos, and custom requests. Moreover, these letters let you unlock new levels of creativity to best showcase your business and brand. Churches, businesses, schools, clinics, and retail locations across the United States and around the world often take advantage of this type of signage.
Ready To Get Noticed? Call Us!
If you’re ready to start discussing new signage possibilities, call us! Our licensed California electrical sign business can help you create stunning designs in an array of styles, colors, and sizes. Whether you want channel lettering, interior dimensional signs, or something else, we have you covered. To learn more, contact our team. We proudly serve businesses in the East Bay area. From Oakland to San Jose and Benicia to Pleasanton, we are ready to provide creative inspiration and exceptional business sign designs for all of your aesthetic needs!
Give your business an added element of professionalism with an attractive, custom halo lit lobby sign. Halo lit signs add visual interest to an office, lobby or reception space, making your brand “pop” off the wall.
Halo lit signs are also called backlit signs or illuminated LED signs. Each element of the sign is individually lit with LED lights. The lightning element is installed inside the sign and the light is directed against the surface behind the signs. The lights create a “halo effect” casting a glow around each letter or element of the sign.
Interior Halo Lit Sign at 1716 Lofts in Walnut Creek, CA.
Materials and Use Cases for Halo Lit Lobby Signs
Interior halo lit signs are commonly made of aluminum, acrylic or stainless steel. Each letter or sign element is individually manufactured and lit with LED lights. The low-voltage LED lights are typically white, but you can select from a range of colored lights to complement your brand.
Jewelers, hotels and spas often use halo lit signs to feature their business and brand. However, halo lit lobby signs are not limited to high-end retailers! The perceived value of both the sign and your business can be enhanced with halo lit signage. USA North 811 (811 Dig) in Concord had an existing power outlet on the wall that we leveraged to feature this beautiful, bold halo lit lobby sign.
USA North 811 in Concord backlit illuminated lobby sign.
LED light installation in backlit lobby signage.
Considerations for Halo Light Lobby Signs
Power source
A power source is requires to light halo lit signage. Ideally, an electrical junction will be located behind the wall or in the ceiling directly above the sign to power the lights. Or you can use an outlet hidden behind the sign for the most effective display of your brand. As an electrical sign contractor, Sequoia Signs can install your halo lit sign to meet the necessary code requirements.
Color and Contrast
Halo lit signs illuminate around the edges of the letters. A detailed logo with many small elements or a multi-colored logo may not have enough contrast with the lights for the desired 3-D halo effect. Our design team loves a challenge and can recommend additional face lighting to showcase the intricacies of the brand. Interior halo lit signs have the most dramatic effect when there is contrast against the back surface.
Location
A flat, smooth surface is optimal to evenly reflect the light. This provides balance and even distribution of the halo lit effect. If your backdrop is uneven, ask our design team about solutions such as a backer panel behind the letters.
Add visual interest to your office lobby or reception area. Give us a call to schedule a site inspection and design consultation to make your business sign pop!
Our goal at Sequoia Signs is to make only the highest quality signs, with the highest quality materials, on the best equipment in the industry. Above all, impeccable customer service is our #1 priority.
What are Channel Letter Signs?
